Difference between revisions of "Aegis (WarShip class)"

m (→‎Named Vessels: disambiguation redirect)
m (disambig)
Line 33: Line 33:
 
The first '''''Aegis'''''-class heavy cruiser, the [[Aegis (Aegis)|THS ''Aegis'']],<ref name="TRO:2750p132">''Technical Readout: 2750'', p. 132-133, "Aegis"</ref> entered service in [[2372]], making the ''Aegis'' one of the oldest [[WarShip]] designs still in common use, serving with distinction with the [[Terran Hegemony]], [[Star League]], [[ComStar]] and [[Clan]] fleets to this day.<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/><ref name="TRO:3057p144">''Technical Readout: 3057'', p. 144-145, "Aegis (Heavy Cruiser)"</ref><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142">''Technical Readout: 3057 Revised'', p. 142-143, "Aegis (Heavy Cruiser"</ref>
 
The first '''''Aegis'''''-class heavy cruiser, the [[Aegis (Aegis)|THS ''Aegis'']],<ref name="TRO:2750p132">''Technical Readout: 2750'', p. 132-133, "Aegis"</ref> entered service in [[2372]], making the ''Aegis'' one of the oldest [[WarShip]] designs still in common use, serving with distinction with the [[Terran Hegemony]], [[Star League]], [[ComStar]] and [[Clan]] fleets to this day.<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/><ref name="TRO:3057p144">''Technical Readout: 3057'', p. 144-145, "Aegis (Heavy Cruiser)"</ref><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142">''Technical Readout: 3057 Revised'', p. 142-143, "Aegis (Heavy Cruiser"</ref>
  
Among the most sophisticated designs at the time of its creation,<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/><ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> incorporating many new features such as detachable jump sails that would go on to become standard, the ''Aegis'' boasted excellent firepower and maneuverability.<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/> The ''Aegis'' went on to serve with the [[Hegemony Armed Forces]] until [[2531]], when a number of refits designed to keep pace with newer vessels failed, the decision was made to retire the aging class in favor of the ''[[Avatar (WarShip)|Avatar]]''-class.<ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> However, [[Deborah Cameron]], the cautious [[Director-General]] of the Terran Hegemony at the time, chose to send the 106<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/> surviving ships to mothballs just in case. This was to prove a boon to the newly formed Star League who found a critical need for WarShips to serve in the [[Reunification War]], with [[First Lord]] [[Ian Cameron]] ordering the return of the ''Aegis'' cruisers to active duty in [[2582]]. One-third of the cruisers - 30<ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> to 36<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/> vessels in all - were turned over to the Council Lords to be added to their private fleets, with the rest entering Hegemony shipyards to be refitted for use in the [[Star League Defense Force|Star League Navy]].<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/><ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> The Great Houses would continue to operate at least some of the donated ''Aegis'' cruisers throughout the Star League era, despite the reduction in size of their active fleets during the general disarmament of the period; as late as [[2765]] the [[Capellan Confederation]] was operating six ''Aegis'' cruisers as a part of its black water navy, making the ''Aegis'' the second most common WarShip in the thirty-seven strong fleet,<ref name="FR:2765CCAFp5">''Field Report: Capellan Confederation 2765'', p. 5, "Guarding the Vault of Heaven"</ref> while the [[Draconis Combine]] was operating five,<ref>[http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,35369.msg855464.html#msg855464 Official Errata Thread]</ref> the [[Federated Suns]] six,<ref>''Field Report: Federated Suns 2765'', p. 6, "Naval Defense Doctrine"</ref> the [[Free Worlds League]] at least five<ref name="FR2765:FWLMp20">''Field Report 2765: FWLM'', p. 20, "Free Worlds League Navy"</ref> and the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] three during the same period.<ref name="FR2765:LCAFp5">''Field Report: Lyran Commonwealth 2765'', p. 5, "The Vacuum Fleet"</ref>
+
Among the most sophisticated designs at the time of its creation,<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/><ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> incorporating many new features such as detachable jump sails that would go on to become standard, the ''Aegis'' boasted excellent firepower and maneuverability.<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/> The ''Aegis'' went on to serve with the [[Terran Hegemony Armed Forces|Hegemony Armed Forces]] until [[2531]], when a number of refits designed to keep pace with newer vessels failed, the decision was made to retire the aging class in favor of the ''[[Avatar (WarShip)|Avatar]]''-class.<ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> However, [[Deborah Cameron]], the cautious [[Director-General]] of the Terran Hegemony at the time, chose to send the 106<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/> surviving ships to mothballs just in case. This was to prove a boon to the newly formed Star League who found a critical need for WarShips to serve in the [[Reunification War]], with [[First Lord]] [[Ian Cameron]] ordering the return of the ''Aegis'' cruisers to active duty in [[2582]]. One-third of the cruisers - 30<ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> to 36<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/> vessels in all - were turned over to the Council Lords to be added to their private fleets, with the rest entering Hegemony shipyards to be refitted for use in the [[Star League Defense Force|Star League Navy]].<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/><ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> The Great Houses would continue to operate at least some of the donated ''Aegis'' cruisers throughout the Star League era, despite the reduction in size of their active fleets during the general disarmament of the period; as late as [[2765]] the [[Capellan Confederation]] was operating six ''Aegis'' cruisers as a part of its black water navy, making the ''Aegis'' the second most common WarShip in the thirty-seven strong fleet,<ref name="FR:2765CCAFp5">''Field Report: Capellan Confederation 2765'', p. 5, "Guarding the Vault of Heaven"</ref> while the [[Draconis Combine]] was operating five,<ref>[http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,35369.msg855464.html#msg855464 Official Errata Thread]</ref> the [[Federated Suns]] six,<ref>''Field Report: Federated Suns 2765'', p. 6, "Naval Defense Doctrine"</ref> the [[Free Worlds League]] at least five<ref name="FR2765:FWLMp20">''Field Report 2765: FWLM'', p. 20, "Free Worlds League Navy"</ref> and the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] three during the same period.<ref name="FR2765:LCAFp5">''Field Report: Lyran Commonwealth 2765'', p. 5, "The Vacuum Fleet"</ref>
  
 
Di Tron spent the next ten years<ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> transforming the relics into some of the most advanced warships of their time. The newer equipment was mostly smaller than the old, and there was enough room to add a few amenities, such as a Zero-G pool.<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/> One of the most important innovations was the [[Lithium-Fusion Battery]] System,<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/><ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> the ''Aegis'' being among the first designs to receive it across the class. The archaic and age worn materials and construction techniques made the hull of the ''Aegis'' weaker than on later ships, also leaving the ship more easily detected by enemy sensors,<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/> but a surprising number survived the fall of the Star League and departed the Inner Sphere during the [[Operation Exodus|Exodus]]. A number of these craft have been observed in Clan [[touman]]s, the design highly favored by [[Clan Jade Falcon]] who use it to perform escort and transport duties.<ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/>
 
Di Tron spent the next ten years<ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> transforming the relics into some of the most advanced warships of their time. The newer equipment was mostly smaller than the old, and there was enough room to add a few amenities, such as a Zero-G pool.<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/> One of the most important innovations was the [[Lithium-Fusion Battery]] System,<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/><ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/> the ''Aegis'' being among the first designs to receive it across the class. The archaic and age worn materials and construction techniques made the hull of the ''Aegis'' weaker than on later ships, also leaving the ship more easily detected by enemy sensors,<ref name="TRO:2750p132"/> but a surprising number survived the fall of the Star League and departed the Inner Sphere during the [[Operation Exodus|Exodus]]. A number of these craft have been observed in Clan [[touman]]s, the design highly favored by [[Clan Jade Falcon]] who use it to perform escort and transport duties.<ref name="TRO:3057p144"/><ref name="TRO:3057Rp142"/>

Revision as of 19:52, 24 January 2015

Aegis TRO2750.jpg
Aegis
Production information
Manufacturer Di Tron Heavy Industries
Production Year 2372[1]
Use Heavy Cruiser
Tech Base Star League
Cost 14,980,141,000 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 750,000 tons
Length 725 m
Sail Diameter 1.308 m
Fuel 1,000 tons
Burn Rate
Safe Thrust
Top Thrust 1.5 g
Sail Integrity 4
KF Drive Integrity 16
LF Battery Yes
Armament 18 x NAC/35s
8 x White Shark tubes
24 x NAC/20s
12 x NL55
4 x Barracuda tubes
4 x NL45s
Armor 597.5 tons of Grumman K5 Ferro-Carbide
DropShip Capacity 4
Small craft/
Aerospace fighters
10/18
Crew 180
Grav Decks 2, both 90 meter diameter
Escape Pods/Life Boats 0/20
Heat Sinks 2,046
Structural Integrity 75
BV (1.0) 84,526
BV (2.0) ???



Description

The first Aegis-class heavy cruiser, the THS Aegis,[2] entered service in 2372, making the Aegis one of the oldest WarShip designs still in common use, serving with distinction with the Terran Hegemony, Star League, ComStar and Clan fleets to this day.[2][3][4]

Among the most sophisticated designs at the time of its creation,[2][3][4] incorporating many new features such as detachable jump sails that would go on to become standard, the Aegis boasted excellent firepower and maneuverability.[2] The Aegis went on to serve with the Hegemony Armed Forces until 2531, when a number of refits designed to keep pace with newer vessels failed, the decision was made to retire the aging class in favor of the Avatar-class.[3][4] However, Deborah Cameron, the cautious Director-General of the Terran Hegemony at the time, chose to send the 106[2] surviving ships to mothballs just in case. This was to prove a boon to the newly formed Star League who found a critical need for WarShips to serve in the Reunification War, with First Lord Ian Cameron ordering the return of the Aegis cruisers to active duty in 2582. One-third of the cruisers - 30[3][4] to 36[2] vessels in all - were turned over to the Council Lords to be added to their private fleets, with the rest entering Hegemony shipyards to be refitted for use in the Star League Navy.[2][3][4] The Great Houses would continue to operate at least some of the donated Aegis cruisers throughout the Star League era, despite the reduction in size of their active fleets during the general disarmament of the period; as late as 2765 the Capellan Confederation was operating six Aegis cruisers as a part of its black water navy, making the Aegis the second most common WarShip in the thirty-seven strong fleet,[5] while the Draconis Combine was operating five,[6] the Federated Suns six,[7] the Free Worlds League at least five[8] and the Lyran Commonwealth three during the same period.[9]

Di Tron spent the next ten years[3][4] transforming the relics into some of the most advanced warships of their time. The newer equipment was mostly smaller than the old, and there was enough room to add a few amenities, such as a Zero-G pool.[2] One of the most important innovations was the Lithium-Fusion Battery System,[2][3][4] the Aegis being among the first designs to receive it across the class. The archaic and age worn materials and construction techniques made the hull of the Aegis weaker than on later ships, also leaving the ship more easily detected by enemy sensors,[2] but a surprising number survived the fall of the Star League and departed the Inner Sphere during the Exodus. A number of these craft have been observed in Clan toumans, the design highly favored by Clan Jade Falcon who use it to perform escort and transport duties.[3][4]

The original Aegis class had bunk space for a crew of 768,[4] whereas the upgraded vessels required only somewhat more than 180 crew members.[3][4] The spare capacities make the Aegis notably well-suited for rescue and evacuation operations.[10]

Armament

The main firepower of the Aegis is its eighteen Armstrong II 35-Series naval autocannons, two each in the nose and each forward angle with four on each broadside and mounted aft, and eight White Shark missile tubes, three on each fore angle with two directly aft. The secondary large-caliber armament is intended to defend the fighter launch bays and consists of three Randall-55 NL55s and a single Barracuda tube on each broadside, a further three NL55s, Barracuda tube and six Imperator-20 NAC/20s on each rear angle, with four Magna-45 NL45s directly aft.[2][3][4]

Cargo

2372 build standard[4]
  • Bay 1: Fighters (18), 4 Doors
  • Bay 2: Small Craft (10), 2 Doors
  • Bay 3: Cargo (128,440 tons), 1 Door
Star League build standard[4]
  • Bay 1: Fighters (18), 4 Doors
  • Bay 2: Small Craft (10), 2 Doors
  • Bay 3: Cargo (85,835 tons), 1 Door
Clan build standard[4]
  • Bay 1: Fighters (20), 4 Doors
  • Bay 2: Small Craft (10), 2 Doors
  • Bay 3: Cargo (62,914.5 tons), 1 Door

Variants

  • Clan 
    The Clan version differs little from those used by the SLDF and ComStar, save a minor reduction in armor and cargo space to boost the fighter compliment to twenty, 2 Stars, in line with Clan military structure. BV (1.0) = 167,790[4]
  • A unique, one-of-a-kind ship, the SLS Manassas was modified to carry an experimental jump drive with a pre-booster system that enabled the ship to jump up to 40 light-years per jump, 10 more than the usual 30 light-year upper limit on jump engines.[11]

Named Vessels

Clan Blood Spirit
Clan Cloud Cobra
Clan Diamond Shark
Clan Goliath Scorpion
Clan Ice Hellion
Clan Jade Falcon
Clan Nova Cat
Clan Snow Raven
Clan Star Adder
Clan Steel Viper
Com Guards
Clan Wolf
Escórpion Imperio
Federated Suns
Republic of the Sphere
Rim Worlds Republic
Star League Defense Force
Terran Hegemony
Word of Blake
Wolf's Dragoons

See Also

Gallery

References

  1. MUL online date for the Aegis (WarShip class)
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Technical Readout: 2750, p. 132-133, "Aegis"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Technical Readout: 3057, p. 144-145, "Aegis (Heavy Cruiser)"
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 Technical Readout: 3057 Revised, p. 142-143, "Aegis (Heavy Cruiser"
  5. Field Report: Capellan Confederation 2765, p. 5, "Guarding the Vault of Heaven"
  6. Official Errata Thread
  7. Field Report: Federated Suns 2765, p. 6, "Naval Defense Doctrine"
  8. Field Report 2765: FWLM, p. 20, "Free Worlds League Navy"
  9. Field Report: Lyran Commonwealth 2765, p. 5, "The Vacuum Fleet"
  10. Living Legends, p. 61 (Decks 13-16)
  11. Living Legends
  12. Historical Turning Points: New Dallas, p. 11, "Remember the Alamo"
  • Field Manual: ComStar, pp 44, 110
  • Field Manual: Free Worlds League, pp 119

Bibliography